Life is fleeting; therefore, lives should matter.
Black lives should matter.
Brown lives should matter.
White lives should matter.
All lives should matter.
However, for decades our government has proven over and over again that all lives don’t matter, because the people who have been elected to represent the public and promote the greater good have refused to make all lives a necessity. Administration after administration has come and gone, yet the United States of America still does not have a comprehensive gun control law.
That speaks volumes.
Despite several mass shootings in recent history, we do not have a comprehensive gun control law.
Despite thousands of people who lost their lives, including children, we still do not have a comprehensive gun control law.
Despite the fact that most Americans have stated they want stricter gun laws, we still do not have a comprehensive gun control law.
That is a serious problem, and it is not too difficult to find the culprit: select politicians who receive lofty donations from gun enthusiasts and organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA). Their motivation has to be money and power. What else could it be?
Politicians like Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval have ignored the will of the people. Last November, Nevada residents voted to require background checks for most private gun sales, such as at trade shows or on the internet.
Sandoval vetoed legislation to tighten background checks in 2013. Last fall, Nevadans were able to get around Sandoval’s veto with the support of entities such as Everytown for Gun Safety, which instituted an effort known as Question 1, to put a referendum question to voters on the ballot. The NRA spent millions to beat the proposal, to no avail. The proposal passed with the support of community members, police unions and health advocacy groups, among others.
Almost as soon as Question 1 was passed, Nevada’s Attorney General Adam Laxalt said the requirement was “unenforceable.”
On average, America faces one mass shooting per day.
Black lives should matter.
Brown lives should matter.
White lives should matter.
All lives should matter.
But, to some politicians, lives don’t matter.
I am so tired of politicians bowing their heads in prayer and offering regards to the friends and families of mass shooting victims, yet doing nothing to resolve the problem. It is time for all Americans — especially those who hold elected office — to prove that all lives matter.
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump touted being the one who would break the mold and do what other presidents before him had not been able to achieve. Well, Mr. President, now is your chance. America is watching.
